Speculation that Carlo Ancelotti will be the next Chelsea manager has
intensified after David Beckham revealed the AC Milan coach has been
learning English since the start of the season.

Ancelotti has been consistently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich known to be a keen admirer of the Italian.

And should Abramovich fail to persuade current interim coach Guus Hiddink to stay, it is thought Ancelotti will accept the challenge of coaching in the Premier League.

There had been concerns that Ancelotti's lack of English would be an obstacle, but Beckham's claims that the 49-year-old has been taking lessons for the past 10 months have alleviated any such fears.

Beckham, currently on loan at Milan from LA Galaxy, said: "When I arrived at Milan, Ancelotti was already studying English. Every time I try to fix his English he insists on making errors and we end up laughing. I can't tell you anything about Chelsea, though."

Last night Chelsea could only draw 0-0 with Everton, with Hiddink admitting their hopes of wrestling the Premier League title away from Manchester United have all but gone.